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Quinn Asena
PhD candidate at the University of Auckland exploring ecosystem change using palaeoecological and modelling techniques. I develop ecological simulations to investigate underlying ecosystem dynamics and the reliability of statistical methods used in ecological analyses. I also get hands-on in the field and the lab.
Master’s researched involved environmental monitoring using sensor networks and robotics.
Education
PhD. Candidate, Environmental Science
University of Auckland
Auckland, NZ
Present - 2017
- Working on regime shift modelling and palaeoecology
- Supervised by George Perry and Janet Wilmshurst
MEnv. Environmental Science
University of York
York, UK
2016 - 2012
- 1st class degree: Integrated masters degree in environmental science
- Courses included: Ecological Principles; Biogeography, Applied Ecology and Environmental Management; Protected Areas; Design and Implementation; Climate Change: Science, Observation & Impacts; Research Skills and Statistical Methods
Music School
Royal Academy of Music
London, UK
2010 - 2005
- Study in performance, composition and musical theory. Multiple competition awards
- ABRSM Grade 8 Piano Performance
- ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory
Selected Positions
Graduate Teaching Assistant and Assistant Coordinator
University of Auckland
Auckland, NZ
2019
- GTA and assistant coordinator for Discovering Environmental Modelling
- Guest lecturer on population growth
- Developed application as a teaching aid: shiny app for lecture and lecture slides
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Auckland
Auckland, NZ
2019 - 2018
- GTA: Natural and Human Environmental Systems; Discovering Environmental Modelling; and, Environmental Science and Management
Research Assistant
Stockholm Environment Institute
York, UK
2017 - 2016
- Assisting in the reconstruction of fire regimes in the North York Moors
- Core preparation and microscope analysis for charcoal and SCPs
- Statistical analysis and compilation of data
Student Ambassador
University of York
York, UK
2016 - 2013
IT Services Media Development Intern
University of York
York, UK
2015
- Filming, editing, scripting and directing a series of short educational films
- Creating posters
Articles and Publications
Courses
Attended several courses during my PhD to improve my software proficiency and scientific understanding including:
Software courses:
- - Software Carpentry
- - Winter Bootcamp
- - Research Bazaar
University Papers/Modules:
- - Environmental Data Analysis
- - Modelling of Environmental Systems
Skills
- - programming
- - High performance computing
- - Microscopy
- - ITRAX core scanning
- - Peat core preparation
Guidelines for Reporting and Archiving 210Pb Sediment Chronologies to Improve Fidelity and Extend Data Lifecycle
Quaternary Geochronology
N/A
2019
- Courtney-Mustaphi et al.
Response to comment on Peatland carbon stocks and burn history: Blanket bog peat core evidence highlights charcoal impacts on peat physical properties and long-term carbon storage by Evans et al.
GEO: Geography and Environment
N/A
2019
- Heinemeyer et al.
- Role: core preparation and microscopy - charcoal and spheroidal spheroidal carbonaceous particles
Peatland carbon stocks and burn history: Blanket bog peat core evidence highlights charcoal impacts on peat physical properties and long-term carbon storage
GEO: Geography and Environment
N/A
2018
- Heinemeyer et al.
Population viability analyses in New Zealand: a review
New Zealand Journal of Ecology
N/A
2018
- Simpkins et al.
Assessing the links between resilience, disturbance and functional traits in paleoecological datasets
New Zealand Journal of Past Global Changes Magazine, vol. 26(2), 87
N/A
2018
- Hamilton et al.
Packages and apps
fisheR
R package
N/A
2019
- Translation of python script for calculating Fisher’s Information on time-series data
- Code available on github
Population growth app
Shiny app
N/A
2019
- Population growth app exploring different population growth equations for educational purposes
Population growth lecture aid app
Shiny app
N/A
2019
- App to accompany population growth lecture and help students through population growth calculations
Selected Workshops and Conferences
George Perry Lab
Interested in the lab group? Visit George Perry’s lab group: Spatial Ecology Group
Hobbies and Interests
Keen musician improving my piano skills
Rock climber, if I’m not working I’m probably up a mountain. Been teaching rock climbing safety in the university club for two years
INQUA
International Union For Quaternary Research
Dublin, Ireland
2019
- Presentation on resilience
Durham
Durham University
Durham, UK
2019
- Invited speaker on modelling resilience in ecosystems
Biological Heritage Science Challenge
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, NZ
2019
- Speaker
International Swiss Climate Summer School Earth systems variability through time: processes, observations and models
University of Bern
Bern, Switzerland
2018
- Poster presentation and participant
- Accredited course worth 3 ECTS credits
Te Punaha Matatini Biomaths
University of Auckland
Auckland, NZ
2018
- Speaker
EcoRe3: Resistance, Recovery and Resilience in Long-term Ecological Systems
PAGES - University of Utah
Utah, USA
2018
- Speaker
Paleodata Demo Derby Workshop
University of Wisconsin
Wisconsin, USA
2018
- Participant
Biological Heritage Science Challenge
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, NZ
2017
- Speaker
Volunteering and other Experience
Database Work for Literature Review
N/A
York, UK
2016
- Literature review work for Assoc. prof. Andy Marshal (unpublished)
NightSafe Volunteer
University of York
York, UK
2015
- Student organisation taking care of student safety throughout the night in the City of York
Science and Outreach - York Institute for Tropical Ecosystems
University of York
York, UK
2015
- Developed short films and interviews overviewing the work done by the York Institute for Tropical Ecosystems (KITE)
- Link to film
- Link to short
York Students in Schools Volunteer
University of York
York, UK
2014
- Volunteering as an assistant in school teaching a range of sciences
Flood Defences - certified course
University of York
York, UK
2012
- Design a flood defence plan for the City of York
- Team won first place
Environment Department Media Development
University of York
York, UK
2012
- Filming and editing a series of interviews of academics in the environment department for open-day presentations